Chapter 4 #2
The high-pitched shriek startled everyone who froze and turned to the sound of the shrill woman, Britney. She’d sauntered out to the gardens wearing a super short skirt and a tight crop top. With an added bounce to her step, she headed down to the water fountain, her eyes steadfastly on Ricky.
“I can’t believe it’s really you. I just loved your last movie,” she gushed as she essentially nudged Susie out of the way and fawned over the handsome actor.
“You were so sexy, so commanding. You must really work hard to keep your body in such good shape. And believe me, it is really in good shape.” She ran her hand over his chest.
“Thank you,” Ricky said with a proud and crooked grin. “I do my best.”
Susie fidgeted, clearly miffed by Britney’s unexpected interruption. But instead of complaining or displaying her anger in any way, she went up to Britney with a bright smile on her face.
“I really love your little skirt,” she said, almost in a manner that Mary would. “Wherever did you get it?”
Britney, unable to ignore a compliment of any kind, turned to her and smiled.
“I got it at a fashion show this spring. It’s the latest in deconstructed haute couture.
Devin Clyde is an up-and-coming designer with such great ideas.
It’s a one of a kind. At nine hundred and sixty-five dollars for such a thin strip of fabric, it’d better be. ”
Ricky winked at Susie and backed away from the chatty pair and made his way to me.
“Saved by my most talented sister,” he said. “I didn’t realize that moving the film’s production here came with a built-in fan club.”
“Britney doesn’t shy away from letting people know exactly how she feels.”
“I do appreciate one’s capacity to be frank.”
Then you’ll appreciate Britney, I wanted to say.
“And what of you, Miss Fanny?” he said with a charming smile. “Here I am rehearsing with Susie who is to play my sister, when I really should be rehearsing with you. We have so many fabulous scenes together... truly fabulous.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Despite his charm, I felt uneasy around him. There was something slimy about him, something that I could not bring myself to trust.
“If you have the time, perhaps we could find a quieter place to run through a few scenes.”
He flipped through the script and stopped at a particular scene. “Here we go. Henry and Fanny stroll through the forest as she rejects him.”
I nodded. “That is a heavily charged scene.”
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
We walked to the edge of the forest, passing a number of actors and crew members along the way.
“I know that we could do this anywhere,” Ricky said, “but, whenever possible, I do like to put myself in the setting the scene is to be shot in.”
The path was wide and flat, making it easy to walk through the forest. The camera operator would have no problem following the action.
“Let’s start from here,” he said, pointing to the page.
Nodding, I stopped, took a deep breath and began the scene.
We walked slowly, stopped at poignant portions and started walking again. I was surprised by his intensity and his ability to turn up the charm just as much as he could tone it down and be sensitive, even emotional.
By the time we reached the river, we’d run through the same scene seven times. Each was different and each was good. All that remained was to see what Keely would ultimately say.
“I think we can safely say that we have taken this scene apart and put it back together in the most conclusive manner.” He looked at me with an interest he’d not yet shown me.
“What scene would you like to do next?” I said.
He stopped walking and turned to face me. He brought his hand to my cheek and leaned in closer. “I thought we might attempt the kissing scene.”
“Kissing scene? But we don’t have a kissing scene.”
He frowned, but with a crooked grin. “I’m pretty sure there is.”
“I have a kissing scene with Edmund... that is with Matthew. But not with Henry Crawford.”
“Lucky Matthew,” he said, coming closer still.
I pulled away and turned to head back to the house.
“I’ve vexed you,” he said as he came after me.
“No. Not at all,” I said. “I believe we have many other scenes to work on; scenes that are actually in the script.”
He chuckled and we began another scene as we walked back through the forest. He remained charming, polite, was warm and thoughtful, and he made no more references to any sort of kissing scene. Good.
*****
I FOUND MATTHEW IN his father’s library, an immense room with floor to ceiling shelves filled with books about history, architecture, science and more.
Seated at a table with the script open in front of him, he didn’t hear me come in.
“Matt?” I softly said.
He looked up at me, a smile instantly coming to his lips. “Darling. I heard that you were off with Henry Crawford for a good part of the afternoon.”
I shrugged. “We do have many scenes together.”
“Of course. How’d it go?”
“He certainly has the charm that a Henry Crawford requires. I’m sure moviegoers will appreciate him very much.”
He nodded.
“I don’t know if you heard about Britney’s encounter with him this afternoon as he rehearsed with Susie.”
He nodded more deeply. “Yes. Indeed, I did. But I was also witness to another encounter between the two. Britney did not hold back.”
“When has she ever?”
He shrugged, seemingly reluctant to be overly critical of his older sister.
“As it was, she was quite persuasive in her desire to seduce him.”
“And I assume that this, like the scene I witnessed earlier, was in front of the cast and crew.”
He nodded.
“She’s married.”
“I know.”
“It could bring about a scandal that I doubt Keely would appreciate.”
“I know that, too.” He sat back in his chair and sighed.
“Believe me. It’s not the type of scandal my father would be too happy to hear about either.
He is rather fond of Benjamin. I can imagine how upset he’ll be when he learns that she left him behind in Bali, but if he were to get wind that she’s been openly flirting.
.. and with a Hollywood actor... Oh, yeah.
He’s not going to be happy. Not one bit. ”
“And what if Ricky is involved with someone? That will only add to the scandal.”
“Maybe I should have a little talk with Susie; see what she knows about Ricky’s intentions. If he flirts with Britney, she’ll gladly fall into his lap. And if it turns out that he’s just toying with her and this ends up breaking her marriage, she’ll be devastated.”
Pursing my lips in distaste, I nodded.
“I know there’s no love lost between you two, but she is my sister, and I do care what happens to her.”
I looked at him, surprised by his implied assessment of my feelings about Britney.
“I know that, Matthew. I care about what happens to her as well. Yes, my memories of my time here at Barry Park are marred by a few of her childish shenanigans, but I do think of her as a big sister, and I don’t wish her any ill. ”
“I’ll see if I can find Susie and chat with her a little bit about all this,” he said. “Maybe she knows what he’s up to. You know, is he in a relationship? Is he dating anyone? Just how much of a player is he?”
“Good idea.”
He looked past me. “And we might have the chance to hear the answer to all these questions a little sooner than anticipated.”
I glanced back to see Susie entering the library.
“There you are, Matthew,” she said.
“What can I do for you, Susie?” He stood and went to her.
“I don’t want to play the diva, but the room I’ve been assigned barely gets any sunlight at all. It’s dark and it’s dim, not to mention the navy-blue walls. Would it be possible to have a room on the sunny side of this magnificent home of yours.”
He patted her shoulder. “I’ll see what I can do. I believe I heard someone complaining about too much sun in their room. We could make the switch.”
“That’d be great. Thanks.” She turned to leave.
“Um, while I have you here,” he said. “I just wanted to ask you a little something.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“I was just a little curious... how well do you know Ricky?”
She shrugged. “This is our second movie. We work well together, we get along well and... He’s a cool guy to hang out with; funny, charming, engaging.”
“And you hang out often with him?”
She hesitated and eyed him curiously. “Well, as often as needed. We are playing brother and sister, after all.”
“Right.”
“I mean, we’re not dating or anything, if that’s what you’re asking. We’re really just friends.”
“I see.”
“Does that answer all your questions?” she said.
He nodded despite the frown on his face. “Yeah. Sure. Thanks.”
He opened the door for her and, slightly perturbed, she left.
“Did you hear that?” he said.
I came to him. “Yeah. Ricky is single and he’s serious in his flirtations with Britney. Do you think he knows she’s married?”
“Somehow, I’d be surprised if she’d bothered to tell him that little detail.”
“I agree.” I shook my head, my mind filled with the possible fallout from a heartache. I was reluctant to share my concerns with Matt, but I couldn’t help but fear how Britney would react should Ricky charm her into a relationship with him, break up her marriage only to leave her heartbroken?
“I don’t know what to do,” Matt said. “My sister’s not exactly easy to control. When she puts her mind to something, she clings to it, no matter how little it makes sense.”
I nodded as I opened the door. “I’ll see what I can do from my end.”
*****
WITH MY SCRIPT IN HAND, I headed out in search of Ricky. I had to do something to keep him away from Britney.
I wandered through the halls of Barry Park, unable to find him. Finally, spotting Penny, I asked if she’d seen him.
“Last time I saw him, he was heading to his room to freshen up before dinner.”
“Thanks.”
His room was three doors down from mine. I rushed to it but hesitated once I’d reached it. What was I getting myself into? Would I really be able to keep these two hot-headed and flirtatious beings apart?
I didn’t know, but I had to try. I found the courage to knock.
A moment passed before the door finally opened. Wet and with only a towel around his hips, Ricky stood there, his dark damp curls falling into his eyes.
“Darling! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you around to my very stylish abode.”
“I was thinking about what you said earlier.”
“And what would that be.”
“About rehearsing our scenes as much as we can. Matthew and I already have an easy chemistry between us. I think you and I also need to have that easy chemistry, although it is a completely different sort of chemistry. We have so many important scenes together. I’m sure Keely is going to want us to get the mood just right. ”
“I wholeheartedly agree. Why don’t you come in and we can get to that kissing scene I told you about.”
I smiled sheepishly.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out that there is not only one kissing scene, but two. And one of them has a rather deep and passionate kiss.”
Was I blushing? I felt certain I was.
He smiled, no doubt amused by my flaming red cheeks.
“I was simply testing you,” I said regarding my earlier fib.
“Right.” He pulled the door completely open and backed up, his sweeping hand inviting me in.
I glanced down at the small towel around his hips. “How about I let you take a minute to get dressed and we could meet downstairs... let’s say, the front drawing room.”
“Aw,” he let out with heavy disappointment. “I feel so rejected.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his boyish grin.
“If I put on a shirt, will you come in? I really don’t feel like wandering the corridors of this enormous home right now.”
I paused. Rehearsing such intimate scenes in the privacy of his room would certainly be tempting fate.
“I’m not going to bite,” Ricky said. “Unless you’re into that sort of thing.”
I stifled a shocked gasp.
“Fine,” I finally said. “Go put some pants on, and we’ll work on these scenes.”
He chuckled and reached out to the back of a nearby chair and grabbed a pair of jeans. With little care for any degree of modesty, he hopped into his jeans as I quickly turned to look away.
“All done,” he said after a moment.
I turned to him, bare-chested in his jeans. “How about a shirt.”
“No, thank you.”
I cocked an unimpressed brow, though I was thoroughly impressed with his superhero body.
“Fine. If you insist.” He pulled a plain white t-shirt over his head and pulled the snug garment over his muscular chest.
I was flustered and angry at him for making me so. His eyes twinkled as he looked at me, and it was easy to see how so many women could fall under his charm.
“I had an idea for the proposal scene,” he said with a tone of professionalism. “Henry Crawford wants Fanny to think highly of him. He’s not accustomed to having to work to charm a lady. But, then again, he’s a proud man who doesn’t take rejection easily.”
You seem to know him quite well, I wanted to say.
Instead, I opened the script, found the scene he was referring to and spent the next hour with him working and re-working the scene.
“I think Keely will be happy with your take on this proposal. You brought a sincerity to the words that is quite disarming.”
“This isn’t my first rodeo, you know,” he said.
“I already have over twenty films under my belt. This latest superhero thing that just came out is my biggest and most successful, but I’ve been in three action movies, five romcoms and a bunch of made for tv stuff.
Oh, and one really underrated horror flick. ”
I tucked my script under my arm and headed for the door. “Well, maybe tomorrow we could get together, and you can give me a few pointers. I think I could really use your insight.”
“We could do that now. The night is still young. We haven’t even had dinner yet.”
“I’ve had my fill for today. I’m just going to grab a quick bite and head off to bed.”
“Oh?” he said with an insinuating cock of his brow.
“And, no. I don’t need any help getting into bed.”
I left his room, pleased with my ability to put him in his place, even if I was, at times, unsure where that place should be.